The last two meetings between Manchester City and Arsenal have been closely-fought affairs.
At the Etihad Stadium, the game ended in a 0-0 draw while at the Emirates Stadium, Gabriel Martinelli’s winner meant the hosts won 1-0 last season.
Despite the quality on paper in both matches, the spectacles in question were tactical chess battles between Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta.
As a result, it could be possible that another low-scoring contest is on display.
Considering Manchester City and Arsenal are playing quite early into the season, the clash cannot be regarded as a title decider.
Furthermore, it could be the case that both teams consider the game as a must-not-lose instead of a must-win encounter.
Guardiola makes Arteta prediction ahead of Man City-Arsenal showdown
As a result, both Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta could set up pragmatically on Sunday.
The neutrals will be hoping that the contest does not disappoint.
For the past two campaigns, both clubs have been the best in the Premier League and if they throw caution to the wind, a game for the ages could unfold.
It will be interesting to see how both managers set their respective teams up.
Ahead of the upcoming clash, Pep Guardiola assured that Mikel Arteta will not set Arsenal up to secure a 0-0 draw against Manchester City.
The £378,846-a-week via HaytersTV: “I think there’s a few managers at the top level, six, seven, that they go into the game thinking, ‘Go put 0-0.’ It doesn’t mean to be deep or long balls or being here we’re going to play for 0-0. Never ever.”
“Mikel [Arteta] knows that I’m not going to play for a 0-0 and I know he’s not going to play for a 0-0. But sometimes, they defend deep because you are better and sometimes, you concede a lot of chances because they are better.”
Pep Guardiola makes a fair claim about Mikel Arteta
Pep Guardiola is aware that even if Arsenal approach the game in a defensive manner, Mikel Arteta, much like himself would be aiming to win the contest.
In the recent North London Derby, the Gunners sat deep for large periods of the affair.
However, Arsenal ultimately beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 and seemed to have a gameplan in place to exploit their local rivals’ struggles at defending set-pieces.
Pep Guardiola will be aware that Mikel Arteta will have a plan up his sleeve to exploit Manchester City’s flaws, as he will against Arsenal.
With how fine the margins have become in title races, Guardiola will especially be cognizant of the fact that any top team that goes head-to-head with the reigning four-time champions of England will be looking for a win.
